Madison — Natural Resources Secretary Cathy Stepp on Tuesday defended Gov. Scott Walker's plan to turn the Natural Resources Board into an advisory panel, instead of one that makes policy, even as she acknowledged she had not been consulted on the proposal in advance.

"I feel that it's extra layers," Stepp said of the board in a briefing to the Legislature's Joint Finance Committee. "I think it's duplicative."

The idea has sparked opposition from Democrats as well as some of Walker's fellow Republicans. Sen. Luther Olsen (R-Ripon) said he had "some concerns" about the plan.(47)

If Park Bank is liable for not spotting Sujata "Sue" Sachdeva's $34 million embezzlement from Koss Corp., then so is chief executive Michael Koss, the bank argues in a new lawsuit.

In a suit filed last week, the bank argues that if a jury finds Park Bank liable for the loss, then Michael Koss and Grant Thornton, the firm's former auditor, should have to pay some of the award.

"Park Bank denies any and all liability to Koss in this case," Park Bank wrote in its action. "Nevertheless, should Park Bank be found liable to Koss (Corp.) and required to pay damages to Koss in this case those damages will have been the result of a common liability of Park Bank, Michael Koss and Grant Thornton, thereby entitling Park Bank to (a) contribution from Michael Koss and Grant Thornton."(1)

Peterson not sure how he'd tackle himself

Green Bay --- He paused and contemplated the question or several moments. How would Adrian Peterson tackle Adrian Peterson? The Minnesota Vikings running back isn't quite sure.

“How would I tackle him? Um, I don’t know," Peterson said. "That’s a good question. I don’t know. I would definitely try, though, with the mind-set I have. It’s something I’ve got to think about. I’ve never been asked that question before. That’s a good one. I’ll tweet it.”

And when asked if it's an impossible task, Peterson said he'd "like to think that it's impossible."

That's the kind of mentality Peterson has been able to sustain, somehow, fresh off a torn anterior cruciate ligament.

This season Peterson has defied conventional wisdom. After tearing his ACL on Dec. 24, 2011, Peterson has experienced an incredible recovery. By the season opener, he was still the same, dangerous running back of years past. Peterson currently leads the NFL in rushing with 1,236 yards and seven touchdowns. His speed, strength and breakaway ability have all been practically unaffected.

There's a reason players inside the Packers locker room were so quick to say Peterson, not Arian Foster, is the best back in the NFL.

"Just staying focused on my goals, (the) things I’ve said before to accomplish it," Peterson said, "Working hard at it, pretty much. The main thing is just believing. Just believing, that’s the main ingredient. ...I can say going through this ACL is probably like the most serious injury I’ve had. The recovery for me was knowing that I was starting over, pretty much. It made me hungrier than I already was. This offseason, I definitely learned how to take it to a different level."

Typically, it takes a full calendar for running backs to bounce back from a torn ACL. Even then, their game can change. That hasn't been the case for the 27-year-old Peterson.

Still, he said this fast recovery didn't surprise himself.

"It’s surprising people around me, which puts a smile on my face," he said. "These are things that I set out forth to accomplish – to come back stronger and better to help my team. I knew that I could do it (but) a lot of people didn’t. I also know that it doesn’t matter what everyone else things, as long as you focus on what you want to accomplish. Whatever it is, you can get it done. It’s simple."

Since his rookie year in 2007, Peterson has had more success against the Packers than any other team. In the teams' 10 meetings, Peterson has rushed for 1,033 yards on 202 carries (5.1 avg.) with seven touchdowns. Peterson has accounted for 37% of the Vikings' total offense.

On Sunday, he'll be the focal point for Minnesota again. Green Bay faces Peterson twice in its final five games.

With three NFC North teams separated by only two games, Peterson is expecting a race to the finish. He said each game will "count as double."

"The way I’m looking at it, I don’t want to have to deal with looking at different games and hoping that this team loses or this team wins," Peterson said. "I want to go ahead and control our own destiny. That’s the way I’m looking at it – getting it out of the way."

About Tyler Dunne

Tyler Dunne covers the Green Bay Packers. He has been on the beat since 2011, winning awards with the Pro Football Writers of America and Milwaukee Press Club.